June 22, 2006

Breaking: Chicago's Dirksen Courthouse Under Lockdown

The individual that authorities are searching for, Larnell Rogers, is not believed to be dangerous. Furthermore, contrary to initial reports, he is not an escaped prisoner. This will probably turn out to be no big deal.

But in light of recent breaches of courthouse security, as well as attacks upon judges and their families -- including the horrific killings of the husband and mother of Judge Joan Lefkow(N.D. Ill.), whose chambers are in the Dirksen building -- one can't be too careful.

Update: A reader points out:

A prisoner escaped and killed two guards in the Dirksen in 1992, before being gunned down in the driveway out of the building parking lot, so that probably looms large, too. An award is now named after one of the guards, Harry Belluomini.

Further Update: CNN is reporting that the Dirksen Courthouse building is no longer under lockdown -- not because Rogers has been apprehended, but because it appears he has left the building.